Official Languages committee  Yes, absolutely. There aren't enough French-language institutions and there aren't enough programs in the ones that do exist. So any investment to increase the number of programs and spaces would be welcome.

Official Languages committee  I would say that a major need exists.

Official Languages committee  It's sure to help with student retention in our schools. It will encourage parents to enrol them in our programs in the first place, because there will be far more choices, opportunities and funding for early childhood. These spaces didn't exist in the past. So it's a major improvement for the community.

Official Languages committee  They will surely choose an English school.

Official Languages committee  Yes, definitely. I couldn't agree more.

Official Languages committee  That will surely create more spaces for parents who want to enrol their children in day care, preschool or early childhood services in French. It's the beginning of the continuum. As they say, it's the base of the pyramid. You have to build a solid base if you want it to go all the way to the top.

Official Languages committee  I have teenagers who are 19, 17 and 15 years old, so I am fully immersed in the situation we are talking about. There's not enough support in schools. Young people don't have enough access to guidance counsellors. For example, my son would like to pursue his studies at the post-secondary level next year, but he's getting no support at all.

Official Languages committee  They go to different schools. The francophone school is on one side of the street and the anglophone school is on the other. Support services offered from one to the next are completely different.

Official Languages committee  It's in Alberta.

Official Languages committee  A counsellor is available one day a week. She offers her services to five different high schools in the school board.

Official Languages committee  Exactly. Young people need support to plan their post-secondary education. They need to pick the right courses in Grade 10 to suit their chosen path. They need to prepare so that by the end of Grade 12, they have everything they need to continue their studies at the post-secondary level.

Official Languages committee  Yes, there is indeed a lack of resources and funding in French schools.

Official Languages committee  I'm not sure I understand the question.

Official Languages committee  From preschool up to grade 12, it's possible.

Official Languages committee  Yes, it's possible at the post-secondary level, but there are few choices. That's another problem.